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Jun 24, 2023 22:57:01 GMT
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Got the mtbmx rockhopper rolling today. Was advised to get a stem converter to join the two types together but after some faffing about with a neighbour we realised the mini bmx stem was the same diameter as the rockhopper forks fitting, just the wrong type, so figured I could get an old style stem, cut a chunk off it and mount the bmx headset straight to it, so I raided my uncles pile of bits Bingo. I just needed to cut the excess of so I was left with a post, then bolt the bmx bits to it. Bingo. I then set the hubs, taped up the loose cables and took it for a spin. With no brakes. Such a smooth ride, perfect riding position and steers so nicely. Couldn't be happier with it. Just need to sort the cables out and get some spacers to take up the gap under the stem. Neighbour came round (keen bmxer) and absolutely loves it, said its just like a big bmx and looks factory, like they should've done it. Happy with that😁
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awoo
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,503
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Jun 25, 2023 11:50:21 GMT
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That’s cool it looks like a cruiser bmx. What size is the frame?
N+1 ftw.
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Jun 25, 2023 21:59:06 GMT
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That’s cool it looks like a cruiser bmx. What size is the frame? N+1 ftw. It's a 16in frame. Having googled afew images most mountain bikes with bmx bars on them look exactly as such. I think this being a 'basic' looking frame with no suspension helps along with the colour. I've already started pulling bits off the merlin (which has got nothing to do with odyssey)to go on the marin build which came to a stop when it needed forks. It'll be getting the rockshox off the merlin and I've already trial fitted some bits. The idea with the marin was to use the right parts to give it the look I had in my head, whatever that was. It's getting there now.
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Jun 27, 2023 17:57:44 GMT
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Got the polish out last night. Just the job.
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75swb
Beta Tester
Posts: 1,014
Club RR Member Number: 181
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Borderline bike hoarding.75swb
@75swb
Club Retro Rides Member 181
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Jun 29, 2023 11:36:26 GMT
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I used to be a bicycle hoarder but I think I'm cured now I'm down to onky 12. OK I'm safe then, currently at 6. Then my neighbour informed me that he had a bike to go up the tip, so I took that in as well. It's knackered and probably only good for its valve caps. check the rules, you're both fine. "While the minimum number of bikes one should own is three, the correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner." I've only just collected my 4th (well this means my other 4th becomes the mrs' 3rd and the new bike is now my 4th...) but it'll take a while til i get to it. Haven't even unboxed it yet (albeit it's only in a box due to postage).
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Jun 29, 2023 18:31:59 GMT
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Well it looks like I might make another purchase. Saw an older bike at the tip with a nice fancy alloy rack on it. Didn't want a rack, probably don't even need one, but I keep looking at the marin build and thinking it would look the biz on it. I'm not sure what's worse, buying a whole bike just for the rack, or wanting a rack at all. 🤔
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Went to the tip. The bike was still there. She's a beast. The rack isn't perhaps as fancy as I thought, but will still look decent after a polish. What I didn't realise is its called an elan, which fits nicely with my bmc and cube car named parts As a bonus another thing I was looking for was a lever for the gear change on the mtbmx. Originally it had twist grips which I don't like. Authough this bike has 5 and the mtbmx has 7, it should still work.
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Sorted the brakes. A combination of bits from various bikes. Removed the front derailleur and the inner 2 gears. Fitted the gear selector off the lady's bike. Needs fine tuning but works a treat. That bike also came with white cables which may all get swapped over at some point. Basicly it's finnished and perfectly rideable. Needs minor bits but it's a hoot to ride as it is. Brakes are almost too good.
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Last Edit: Jul 2, 2023 15:38:31 GMT by bmcnut
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rysz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,554
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This looks awesome, and so much fun! I would recommend that you swap the chainring over from the outside to the inside of the crank and it will really help your chainline as you are single ring on the front. I do this all the time and it makes a huge difference at each end of the cassette. Hoarding is always the issue, I currently have a Muddy Fox, a Specialized, 2 Kona's, a Saracen, a cargo trike, a GT Zaskar frame, a GT Avalanche frame, a Raleigh bike and a Giant carbon frame with alu lugs... Three of them are due to go to new owners soon though! Rysz.
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Last Edit: Jul 4, 2023 11:13:22 GMT by rysz
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This looks awesome, and so much fun! I would recommend that you swap the chainring over from the outside to the inside of the crank and it will really help your chainline as you are single ring on the front. I do this all the time and it makes a huge difference at each end of the cassette. Rysz. I noticed that when I was faffing with the new gear change. If I put it on the inside it's not going to look tidy unless I give the alloy part a clean up. I'll have a look this eve. My list is currently red rockhopper, brown rockhopper, marin project, merlin Malt(parts), carbon sirrus (parts), ladies bike (more parts), piece of rubbish neighbour gave me, remains of mini bmx. Really I only have 3 bike and the beginnings of a breakers yard 😁 The problem is if I need a part and look on ebay, if its possible to use a second hand part I can get a whole bike from the tip for the same price as that part, or less. Then I have more parts for something else. Or build another bike. That needs a part. #repeat. And yes the mtbmx is alot of fun and has inspired 2 mates so far to do similar. That's a good job done ✔
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Last Edit: Jul 4, 2023 17:15:54 GMT by bmcnut
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rysz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,554
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I'm very jealous, my tip doesn't sell them on which is actually probably a good thing.
I do need a decent parts bike at the moment for one of the konas, but that just turns into another project...
I'm actually two frames down after a successful bike jumble last month. An Orange and a Kona both went then!
Rysz.
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So last week I bought this lady's bike for its rack and gear lever. Not alot left on that bike I want but a mate suggested I should do something silly with it. That might happen. Anyway, the rack. I'm of the general opinion that racks are naff. I don't particularly like them on cars either especially with random barrels and suitcases you could've probably put in your empty boot. But I liked this one and I thought it might work on my bike. Initially it was too narrow, but the suppot bars had a kink in one end, so I drilled the rivit out and turned the bars upside down and back to front making the lower mounts wider, and it now fits my marin perfectly. Even the upper mount it perfect, it sits nice and level. I'm going to paint bits of it and continue to wire wool, and wet/dry the edges until the casting marks are gone. The rest of the bike is no where near finnished yet but I'm happy with the way it's looking so far. As for the mtbmx I've ridden it during the weekend and it's spot on. And on the subject of spots, I raided my mates box of bike tat. And stole some valve caps. Had to be done.
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And then shortly after the previous post the doorbell rang. It was the neighbour. That's Mr neighbour Sir now, because he has this. Which is very very cool. Its a So Cal Kustom Kruiser full of gt bits. It's got the brake on the rear hub which takes a bit of getting used too, but other than that it's a proper nice cruising machine. It needs afew bits tidying on it, and the mtbmx has inspired him to do so. The paint has been badly done in gloss black with a brush. I've suggested matt or satin black would suit it, there's a bit of rust on the bars so a tidy ratlook might be the way to go. The tyres have to be the coolest tyres Ive ever seen. Good news is I've managed to successfully temporarily hoard another bike😁
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Jul 18, 2023 21:27:29 GMT
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I wrote a long post and accidentally deleted it so here it is again in short version. Took mtbmx to mates. He suggested going to local bike track. I scared myself, bikes like riding on stilts. Back to his, beers, talking bikes, he suggested we should bmx something else. Trike amongst other things was suggested. Trike was quickly forgotten as they all tend to look like shopper bikes. Build a tandem perhaps? Left his place not knowing what to get. Got home, did a search and found something that had been listed while we were talking, and was about half an hour away. Went to have a look at it but it was clear they wanted too much for it. Low balled them because of the work needed and was understandably turned down. Then the following day accepted so today I picked this gem Not quite sure why yet but its got 24in wheels and is really weird to ride. The frame has had recent paint but it's clear that most of the rest of it will need replacing or a fair bit of rust dealing with. Which is good because bmx handlebars are first on the list.
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Last Edit: Jul 18, 2023 21:37:25 GMT by bmcnut
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awoo
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,503
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Jul 18, 2023 22:49:18 GMT
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Nice. Trikes are very odd to ride. That frame looks like a bmx frame already so could be a good candidate.
20” wheel shoppers can make killer bmx mashups. Made one years ago, was loads of fun.
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It seems like the frame is a bmx frame, or at least was based on a bmx frame, but was never a bmx ie it was built like this. I had to take the frame for the rear end off to get it in the car. It was only then that I realised it was basically a bmx frame. The plate for what would be the rear drop out is bigger and has a derailleur and fitting for the rear end. All welds throughout the frame look the same so I can assume it was built like this and not converted from an existing bmx frame. I was told it originally came from worthing so my thoughts are it may have been a beach hire bike, which would explain the very rusty chain and brake cables. Which makes it very tempting to convert it to 20in wheels and do it properly.
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Last Edit: Jul 20, 2023 9:45:39 GMT by bmcnut
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awoo
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,503
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Jul 20, 2023 12:57:51 GMT
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If you could retain the gears and stick a 20” wheel in there that would be really interesting
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Jul 20, 2023 20:37:38 GMT
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Removed arches and reflectors, changed stem and handlebars, more air in tyres. Rides better now. Frame has a fair bit of flex in it so might weld in some braces.
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Jul 22, 2023 12:19:21 GMT
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Sorted out some better front brakes for it. Once all brakes and gears are sorted it will be getting new cables. Needs a rear brake as the original is missing and it's a heavy thing to try and stop on one brake. I've got a cable disc brake I might be able to use on the rear axle if I can work out how to mount the caliper. I think I've worked out what it is. It's had paint so there's no marks on the frame, but there are very similar 'industrial trikes' under different names with subtle detail differences. This has a promax lever so I can assume it's an older version of a Probike trike. Also sold in America under a different name, Belize. Doesn't look as good in orange. Today's plan is to start making a box for the back and sort out the problem with the rear axle. It's one wheel drive so one wheel freewheels. It's OK at lower speeds but starts to lean and pull to one side at higher speed so it seems there is resistance in the axle.
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Jul 23, 2023 20:58:38 GMT
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Sorted out the stem spacer which is a cut down seat post off the lady's bike. Fitted better brake cable. Front end looking much tidier. It's gained the white seat off the ladies as its better than the original and the only one I've got that I could currently fit. Sorted out the wood for the box but once it was all cut realised how heavy it was going to be. Might have a rethink. Took the rear axle and bearings out to find that the bearings have the same texture as a toffee crisp. There's 8 in total all the same size so will be easy to sort. My neighbour threw a bike at me that was going to go to the tip which will yield afew parts before going to the tip. Then this evening my mates neighbour chucked a couple of kids bikes at me that were going to the tip. I wonder if this is the start of a trend 🤔 best thing is they had the right size and type bracket to enable me to fit a decent seat to the trike. Can't grumble at free. Bound to be some other bits on them.
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